A Closer Look with John Beaudin: 2009 Grammys – All Live? My Ass!
February 15, 2009 – Just because someone tells you something doesn’t make it true. We’ve learned that, right? It’s especially true on TV. I remember Kelsey Grammer laughing at his own network, NBC, in 2004 as both his series, ‘Fraiser,’ and ‘Friends’ were winding down with big finales. The peacock network were proclaiming Friends as, "the best comedy ever," to which Grammer said, "I don't blame them for saying that, although we all know it's not true." Sure, ‘Friends’ was at the top alright, but only for people whose Chia pets talked back. Really, it’s all smoke and mirrors. TV has become a habitual liar. If Rob Blagojevich divorced the toaster and Casey Anthony was too busy rotting in hell, he could marry his TV – after all ‘like attracts like’ and you gotta watch what you stick in a toaster.

TV tried to make us believe that Beyonce actually washed her hair with L’oreal. Does she even touch her own hair? A couple of weeks ago I thought Jennifer Hudson, the nice comeback kid that she is was telling the truth. She, in a side-winding way, lied about singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Maybe she justified it since everyone else lied as well. More

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Get 5 Grammy’s
February 9, 2009 – You could say all the Led Zeppelin reunion buzz didn’t hurt Robert Plant last night. The singer left the Grammy stage for the last time last night with 5 trophies in hand for his duo album with Alison Krauss. Their ‘Raising Sand’ album won for ‘Album,’ ‘Pop Collaboration with Vocals,’ ‘Country Collaboration,’ ‘Best Contemporary Folk/Americana album’ and their tune ‘Please Read the Letter’ won for ‘Best Record.’

Interestingly, Plant won two previous Grammy’s before the ceremony but never as a member of Zeppelin.

The evening started with a performance by U2 whick clearly seemed lip-synched but unlike her crappy pre-taped Super Bowl anthem Jennifer Hudson brought many fans to tears and appeared to sing live. The Oscar winning actress also won her first ever Grammy for ‘Best R&B Album.’ "I want to thank my family in heaven and those who are with me today," said Hudson, and accepting the award from Whitney Houston who seemed to have a learning disability. When taking the stage Houston’s voice sounded rough and the singer had problems putting her thoughts together.

Just before the show rumours flew like firecrackers that Chris Brown had assaulted girlfriend Rihanna. No one seemed to know for sure if Brown was in custody but by shows end most of the ugly rumours were confirmed with charges against the singer.

Performances by Paul McCartney with Foo Fighters Dave Grohl on drums scored high points while Justine Timberlake’s lack of musical prowess was mostly embarrassing while singing next to Al Green. The stinky factor was pale in comparison to Stevie Wonder sharing the stage with the Jonas Brothers – What was he thinking?

Rapper Lil Wayne won four Grammys, Duffy won a Grammy for ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ for ‘Rockferry.’

Coldplay won three Grammy’s while Joe Satriani was probably punching the wall. He is seeking legal action for plaigerism against the band. Coldplay’s ‘Viv La Vida’ was a huge hit last year.

Jazz and Related Winners at the Grammy’s
Feb. 9, 2009 – We never really got to see any of the Jazz performances or winners last night at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards but instead we suffered through the Jonas Brothers totally erasing anything good about Stevie Wonder. I had to turn my TV off for 3 minutes.

Fourplay, Stanley Jordan and Marcus Miller lost to the Eagles for the 'Best Pop Instrumental Performance' for thier tune 'I Dreamed There Was No War' a track from the comeback disc 'Long Road Out Of Eden.'

'Best Pop Instrumental Album' went to 'Jingle All The Way' by Béla Fleck & The Flecktones. Gerald Albright, Larry Carlton, Earl Klugh and Spyro Gyra were also named in the category.

'Best New Age Album' went to 'Peace Time’ by Jack DeJohnette.

'Randy In Brasil' by Randy Brecker took the 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album' Grammy and 'Loverly' Cassandra Wilson picked up 'Best Jazz Vocal Album.'

BB King and John Mayer Added For Grammy Nominations Concert
Nov. 18, 2008 – Even folks who don’t believe in the Grammy’s agree the performances can go big! No exception for the Grammy Nominations concert to be held Dec. 3.

So far the bill includes Foo Fighters, John Mayer and B.B. King for the show at Nokia Theatre L.A. It will be broadcast on CBS. Hosts for the nominations show include Mariah Carey, LL Cool J and Taylor Swift.

Proceeds from the evening will go straight to the Grammy Museum in L.A.

The 2009 Grammy’s will be held Feb. 8. – by John Rohn, Story courtesy of Rock History Book.com

50th Grammy Awards - Plethora of Pretentious Divas
February 11, 2008 - It was the 50th Grammy Awards and the promise was to combine classic talent with today's big iTunes stars. Having heard early that Alicia Keys was set to perform with a dead Frank Sinatra. I could almost feel the shakes coming on from memories of Celine Dion's laughable, cringe inducing duet with Elvis on the American Idol fiasco "Idol Gives Back." There is something that happens to stars who's skewed version of their own self importance flies out of control and no one is a better example of that than Alicia Keys. Didn't you grow up with a Celine, Beyonce or Alicia? Worse yet maybe you were imprisoned in music class with a little "Look at me" irritating clown in the making. To make it completely unbearable these little Divas like their adult versions actually had talent but I ask you this, why is it so hard to watch them? Last night I was cowering behind my 4 year old as Alicia talked to the dead president of the board, "Yeah, Frank," she coaxed. "You're freakin' embarrassing yourself" I yelled causing my four year old to caution "Dad, that's a bad word, look, she's really pretty." Maybe I was taking myself a little too seriously? Why didn't Keys management warn her that maybe the exploitation of a dead celebrity would technically allow "old blue eyes" to haunt her for eternity. I'm sure that's a rule somewhere or will be after last night's performance.

Also in the cringe hall of fame, Beyonce's derivitive Janet Jackcson cabaret intro to Tina Turner's tribute was like bad carrot-top kareoke but all was good once Turner took to the stage. Sure, Tina's voice is not what it used to be but she's earned her props.

Poor Dave Koz was part of the awkward Keely Smith tribute. Smith performed at the very first Grammy telecast and was paired up with every mother's nightmare, Kid Rock who asked the 75-year-old singer what she wanted to do, not once but twice Smith said, "Any thing you want me to do."…awkward! Koz as usual sounding fantastic and was a shining light at the awards.

Also props to Foo Fighters for their outdoors primal, riveting performance with "My Grammy Moment" winner Ann Marie Calhoun and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin serving as conductor. It's rare to hear a performance that actually makes you want to buy an album. That was certainly one of those.

Maybe someone will corral Alicia and Beyonce in a little room today and force the divas to actually watch their performance with honest eyes. I know, know, there's a better chance of Barack Obama winning a Grammy right? hey wait! - by John Beaudin

Late Great Michael Brecker Wins 2 Grammy's
February 10 2008 - It was another reminder tonight of just how much Michael Brecker is missed. The late saxophonist picked up two Grammy Awards, 'Best Jazz Instrumental Solo' for his tune "Anagram" and the album it's from "Pilgrimage" won 'Best Jazz Instrumental Album.' 'Brecker died from complications of leukemia on January 13, 2007. Other Jazz Grammy's went to Herbie Hancock winning 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album' for "River: The Joni Letters," the star pianist's album also won the surprise "Album of the Year." Smooth Jazz mainstay Patti Austin picked up 'Best Jazz Vocal Album' for "Avant Gershwin." Also congratulations to Terence Blanchard winning 'Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album' with "A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina)." The 'Best Latin Jazz Album' was "Funk Tango" by Paquito D'Rivera Quintet. New Age album went to Paul Winter Consort picked up New Age album. - by John Beaudin

Big Night for Dave Koz and Smooth Jazz Fans at Grammys
February 9, 2008 - Smooth Jazz fans get a treat for this year's Grammy telecast when superstar saxophonist Dave Koz performs for the first time ever during the 3 hour live telecast. Koz will be performing with rapper Kid Rock. Another first for the Grammys will be the opportunity to watch the distribution of awards for the non televised categories, which include the best Pop Instrumental Album. Dave has received a nomination in that category for his latest release "At the Movies" as well as in the Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Over The Rainbow." Other smooth jazz artists who have receive nominations are Chris Botti for "Ítalia," Kirk Whalum for "Roundtrip" and Spyro Gyra for "Good to Go-Go" all in the Pop Instrumental category. In the Contemporary Jazz category, nominees include Patti Austin for "Avant Gershwin," Jeff Lorber for "He Had a Hat" and Brian Bromberg for "Downright Uptight". Saxophonist Michael Brecker also receives a posthumous nomination for final album "Pilgrimage." Congratulations to all the artists who have received nominations. Don't miss Dave Koz's live performance on the Grammys on Sunday February 10, 2008 at 8pm on CBS. You may watch the non televised portions of the ceremony by going to www.grammy.com between 1:00pm and 3:30pm PST time on Sunday. - by Joy Hall